The Massachusetts senator was praised by Republicans as well his fellow Democrats during the 3-1/2 hour hearing. Republicans in particular said they appreciated his calls for fiscal order.

"I look at you, in being nominated for this, as someone who has almost led their entire life, if you will, for this moment, being able to serve in this capacity," said Senator Bob Corker of Tennessee, the top Republican on the panel.

"For a moment I was wishing you had been nominated for secretary of the treasury," Corker quipped.

"You will need no introduction to the world's political and military leaders, and will begin - on Day One - fully conversant not only with the intricacies of U.S. policy, but with an understanding of the nuanced approach necessary," said Senator Robert Menendez, the New Jersey Democrat presiding over the hearing for the committee.

Menendez told Reuters he expects the committee to vote to confirm Kerry by Tuesday - possibly as soon as Monday - with a vote by the full Senate soon afterward.

The president was smart to name both Kerry and Hagel - former Senators - to state and defense. The US Senate is a very clubby place and a premium is placed on personal relations. It's been that way since our founding, but in the case of Kerry, one would have hoped for some hard questions on Israel, and more focus on Kerry's ridiculous notion that Syria's President Assad was some kind of reformer. How can someone be so taken in by a murderous thug and then be considered qualified to run our foreign policy?

Only in Obama's world...

John Kerry is going to be our next Secretary of State. That much was obvious from his confirmation hearing on Thursday as Senator after Senator praised him to the skies.

The Massachusetts senator was praised by Republicans as well his fellow Democrats during the 3-1/2 hour hearing. Republicans in particular said they appreciated his calls for fiscal order.

"I look at you, in being nominated for this, as someone who has almost led their entire life, if you will, for this moment, being able to serve in this capacity," said Senator Bob Corker of Tennessee, the top Republican on the panel.

"For a moment I was wishing you had been nominated for secretary of the treasury," Corker quipped.

"You will need no introduction to the world's political and military leaders, and will begin - on Day One - fully conversant not only with the intricacies of U.S. policy, but with an understanding of the nuanced approach necessary," said Senator Robert Menendez, the New Jersey Democrat presiding over the hearing for the committee.

Menendez told Reuters he expects the committee to vote to confirm Kerry by Tuesday - possibly as soon as Monday - with a vote by the full Senate soon afterward.

The president was smart to name both Kerry and Hagel - former Senators - to state and defense. The US Senate is a very clubby place and a premium is placed on personal relations. It's been that way since our founding, but in the case of Kerry, one would have hoped for some hard questions on Israel, and more focus on Kerry's ridiculous notion that Syria's President Assad was some kind of reformer. How can someone be so taken in by a murderous thug and then be considered qualified to run our foreign policy?